Load carrier

ABSTRACT

A load carrier to be mounted in the body of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The load carrier includes a first load carrier element to form a first load carrying surface; and a second load carrier element, pivotally arranged with respect to the first load carrier element, to form a second load carrying surface, the second load carrying surface being located in front of the first load carrying surface, seen in the normal travelling direction of the motor vehicle. The second load carrier element is also pivotally arranged with respect to the first load carrier element to form a third load carrying surface, the third load carrying surface being located behind the first load carrying surface, seen in the normal travelling direction of the motor vehicle.

PRIORITY STATEMENT

The present application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 onSwedish patent application number SE 0501652-2 filed Jul. 11, 2005, theentire contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a load carrier.

BACKGROUND ART

Load carriers to be separately mounted in the body of a vehicle arepreviously known. They are usually mounted in the body of the vehicle byway of a clamp joint. When they are not intended to be used, they caneither remain mounted in the body or easily be dismounted and, forinstance, be placed in the trunk of the vehicle or in some otherconvenient storage place. The drawback of letting the load carrierremain mounted in the body in periods when not in use is that whiletravelling it may cause noise nuisance in the passenger compartment ofthe vehicle. This is due to the fact that this type of load carrier isnormally not adjusted to the geometry of a given vehicle model, but isto be used together with many different vehicle models. Storing the loadcarrier in the trunk may many times be experienced as bulky, whereasstoring in some other place than in the vehicle causes a risk of it notbeing available when needed.

A solution to these problems is a load carrier which is fixedly mountedin the body of the vehicle, for instance in the form of load barsextending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and beingdesigned not to cause any noise nuisance in the passenger compartment.Another solution involves a load carrier integrated into a roof spoilerof the vehicle. A common feature of many of these solutions is that itmust be possible to activate the load carrier from a position in whichit cannot be used to a position in which the load carrier can be used tocarry a load. However, existing load carriers of this type areassociated with various drawbacks.

JP 4039141 A discloses a load carrier intended for a motor vehicle. AU-shaped arc is integrated into a spoiler in the rear part of the motorvehicle. For use, the arc is pivoted forwards, substantially 90°, toform a load carrying surface. However, this load carrier can only formone load carrying surface and must therefore be supplemented withanother load carrier if more load carrying surfaces are required.

DE 100 09 966 A1 discloses a load carrier which is also integrated intoa spoiler of a motor vehicle. A substantially U-shaped arc, havingsubstantially the same shape as the spoiler, can be pivoted forwards inthe longitudinal direction of the vehicle to form a front load carryingsurface, while at the same time the rest of the spoiler forms a rearload carrying surface. A load can now be placed on the front and rearload carrying surfaces. However, this construction has a limited fieldof application since it is mainly adjusted to relatively compact loads.Moreover, it will be difficult to open the lid of the trunk when a loadhas been placed on the front and rear load carrying surfaces.

FR 2,782,042 discloses a load carrier which is integrated into twoparallel load bars, which are fixedly mounted in the body of thevehicle. The load bars are hollow and accommodate an extendable andarticulated linkage. In use, the linkage is pulled, via a telescopicfunction, out of the load bars to form load carrying surfaces. However,this construction is mainly adjusted to compact loads since the loadcarrying surfaces are located behind the rear part of the vehicle andcannot utilise the space offered by the roof of the vehicle.

SUMMARY

A flexible load carrier is provided in at least one embodiment, whichcan be adjusted to different types of loads.

In at least one example embodiment of the invention, since the secondload carrier element can be pivoted so as to form both a second and athird load carrying surface with respect to the first load carryingsurface, two different loading positions are made possible, seen in thenormal travelling direction of the motor vehicle: a front loadingposition which comprises the first and the second load carrying surface,and a rear loading position which comprises the first and the third loadcarrying surface. These two loading positions offer a better option forloading different types of loads than if only one loading position hadexisted.

In at least one example embodiment, the load carrier is adapted to bemounted at the rear edge of the roof of the body and the second loadcarrier element is adapted to be able to project from the rear edge ofthe roof to form the third load carrying surface. This makes it possibleto use a separate roof rack/roof box arranged on the roof of thevehicle, in front of the load carrier, and at the same time place a loadon the first and the third load carrying surface.

In at least one example embodiment, the first and the second loadcarrying surface are suitably substantially in the same horizontalplane. This makes it possible to arrange a load substantiallyhorizontally on the first and the second load carrying surface.

In at least one example embodiment, the third load carrying surface islocated on a vertically lower level than the first load carryingsurface. This makes it possible to arrange a load in an inclinedposition on the first and the third load carrying surface.

In at least one example embodiment, the load carrier suitably comprisesa first and a second support element to be mounted on opposite sides ofthe roof of the body, seen in the transverse direction of the motorvehicle, the first and second load carrier elements extending betweenand being connected to the first and second support elements. Thisresults in load carrying surfaces which effectively utilise the width ofthe body roof.

In at least one example embodiment, the first load carrier elementincludes a longitudinally extending recess for connecting fasteningelements adapted to be able to fasten a load to the first load carryingsurface. This makes it possible to have a plurality of fastening pointsalong the first load carrying surface.

In at least one example embodiment, the first load carrier elementsuitably is movably arranged in the associated first and second supportelements to position the first load carrying surface in the longitudinaldirection of the vehicle. This makes it possible to adjust the distancebetween the first and the second load carrying surface and also thedistance between the first and the third load carrying surface,depending on the size of the load, when loading in the front and therear loading position, respectively, seen in the longitudinal directionof the vehicle.

In at least one example embodiment, the second load carrier elementsuitably includes a longitudinally extending recess for connectingfastening elements adapted to be able to fasten a load to the second orthird load carrying surface. This makes it possible to have a pluralityof fastening points along the second and the third load carryingsurface.

In at least one example embodiment, the second load carrier elementincludes a first and a second arm which are pivotally connected to thefirst and second support elements, respectively, in a respectivevertical plane, and a transverse element arranged between the first andthe second arm to form the second load carrying surface when the firstand the second arm are in a front pivot position with respect to thefirst load carrier element, and to form the third load carrying surfacewhen the first and the second arm are in a rear pivot position withrespect to the first load carrier element. This makes it possible toactivate two different loading positions by a pivoting motion.

In at least one example embodiment, the first and the second armsuitably each include a first and a second arm part, the first arm partsbeing pivotally connected to the support elements between the front andthe rear pivot position, the second arm parts being, at one end,pivotally connected to the first arm parts, between an inwardly pivotedposition and an outwardly pivoted position with respect to the first armparts, and at an opposite end fixedly connected to the transverseelement. This makes it possible to form the front loading position whenthe first arm parts are in the front pivot position and the second armparts are in the outwardly pivoted position while the rear loadingposition can be formed when the first arm parts are in the rear pivotposition and the second arm parts are in the outwardly pivoted position.In addition, due to the possibility of mutual pivoting between the firstand the second arm part, the distance between the front and the secondloading position can be made great, which allows various options ofpositioning the load with respect to the vehicle body.

In at least one example embodiment, the first arm parts, when in thefront pivot position, are adapted to be arranged substantially parallelto the body roof, and the second arm parts, when in the inwardly pivotedposition, are adapted to abut substantially against the first arm parts.This allows a compact design of the load carrier in a position ofnon-use, which improves the wind resistance of the vehicle whiletravelling.

In at least one example embodiment, the load carrier includes a lockingdevice adapted to be able to lock the first arm parts in a pivotposition, between the front and the rear pivot position, in which pivotposition a lid of the trunk of the motor vehicle can be opened withoutcolliding with the load carrier. Since the lid of the trunk can beopened without colliding with the load carrier, the trunk of the motorvehicle can be loaded and unloaded even if a load is arranged in therear loading position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the invention will now be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings in which

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle provided with a load carrierin the form of a roof spoiler,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the load carrier in FIG. 1 in a rearloading position,

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the load carrier in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a view obliquely from behind of the load carrier in FIG. 2with a bicycle mounted,

FIG. 5 is a side view of the load carrier in FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is another side view of the load carrier in FIG. 4,

FIG. 7 is a side view of the load carrier in FIG. 4 with a bicyclemounted and with the lid of the vehicle trunk open,

FIG. 8 is a view, seen obliquely from above, of the load carrier in FIG.1, in a front loading position,

FIG. 9 is a side view of the load carrier in FIG. 8, and

FIG. 10 shows a locking device of the load carrier.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a load carrier 1 intended for a motor vehicle. Theload carrier is shown in an inactive position, that is when it is notintended to be used. In this inactive position, it takes the shape of aroof spoiler or wing 1 and has a compact design to give the vehicle anaesthetically attractive appearance and also to give the vehiclefavourable aerodynamic properties.

It will be described below how the load carrier can be put in a firstand a second active position to form first, second and third loadcarrying surfaces intended for different types of loads. The descriptionwill start with the first and the third load carrying surface withreference to FIGS. 2-7, and then continue with the first and the secondload carrying surface with reference to FIGS. 8-9.

FIGS. 2-6 illustrate the load carrier 1 in an active position to form arear loading position. This is made possible by a special constructionaccording to at least one embodiment of the invention, which will bedescribed in more detail below. In this loading position, the loadcarrier 1 projects backwards from the roof 3 of the vehicle and downover its lid of the trunk 5 and takes substantially the shape of a U.

The load carrier includes a supporting device in the form of a first anda second support element 9 (of which only one is shown in FIG. 3). Thesupport elements are fastened to the body of the vehicle, on each sideof the roof 3 of the vehicle and are extended in the longitudinaldirection of the vehicle (indicated by arrow L). The support elements 9are mounted at the rear edge of the roof by way of fastening elements(not shown), in order to occupy only a limited part of the total surfaceof the roof 3, which means that there is additional space for mounting,for instance, a roof rack and/or a roof box on the roof.

A first load carrier element in the form of a transverse bar 11 extendsacross the roof 3 of the vehicle and is, with each of its ends 12,arranged in one of the first and second support elements 9. To this end,the first and the second support element each include a longitudinalrecess 13, in which both ends of the transverse bar 11 are movablyarranged. The ends 12 of the transverse bar can move in the recess 13 sothat the transverse bar 11 can be positioned in the longitudinaldirection of the vehicle between a front and a rear position. After thatthe transverse bar 11 can be locked in the recesses in the desiredposition by way of locking elements (not shown).

The transverse bar 11 forms a first load carrying surface 15 of the loadcarrier 1. To fasten a load to the first load carrying surface 15, thebar comprises on its upper side a longitudinal recess 17, which incross-section substantially has the shape of an inverted T. In thisrecess 17, various types of load fastening elements 19, with the samecross-sectional shape as the recess 17, can be arranged depending on thetype of load that is to be applied, for instance a bicycle or a pair ofskis.

A second load carrier element 7 is pivotally arranged at the rear edgeof the first and second support elements 9 (seen in the travellingdirection of the vehicle). The second load carrier element 7 comprisestwo arms 21 (of which only one is shown in FIG. 3), which are joined bya transverse element 23 in the form of a wing 23 to form the actual Ushape. The wing 23 extends across the roof of the vehicle, transverselyto the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle and constitutes that partof the load carrier element 7 which is to function as a load carryingsurface.

The arms 21 are each divided into a first 25 and a second 27 arm part.The first arm parts 25 are pivotally connected to the support elements 9at a first pivot point 29, which is positioned at the rear edge of therespective support elements 9, seen in the normal travelling directionof the vehicle. The second arm parts 27 are fixedly connected to thewing 23 and pivotally connected to the first arm parts 25 at a secondpivot point 31.

The first arm parts 25 can be pivoted between a front (see FIGS. 8-9)and a rear pivot position (see FIGS. 2-6) with respect to the supportelements 9. In the front pivot position, the first arm parts 25 pointsubstantially forwards, seen in the travelling direction of the vehicle,while at the same time they abut against the respective support elements9. In the rear pivot position, the first arm parts 25 pointsubstantially backwards, seen in the travelling direction of thevehicle. Pivoting between the front pivot position and the rear pivotposition thus corresponds to a movement through about 180°.

The first arm parts 25 are in the front and the rear pivot positionoriented substantially horizontally and positioned substantially in acommon horizontal plane. When the first arm parts 25 are in the frontpivot position, any further forward pivoting, that is counterclockwiseseen in FIGS. 2-3, is prevented by the support elements 9, since thefirst arm parts 25 along the major part of the their length abut againstthe support elements. When the first arm parts 25 are in the rear pivotposition, any further backward pivoting, that is clockwise seen in FIGS.2-3, is prevented by a piece of the first arm parts 25 abutting againstthe support element 9.

When the first arm parts 25 are in the front pivot position, they can belocked to the first and second support elements 9 by way of a respectivelocking element (not shown) in the form of a handle. In the front pivotposition, an opening 33 in the first arm parts 25 will be positionedover an opening 35 in the first and second support elements 9, andthrough these openings 33, 35 said handles can extend to lock and holdthe first arm parts 25 in the front pivot position, so that clockwisepivoting of the first arm parts 25 will not be possible.Correspondingly, the first arm parts 25 can be locked in the rear pivotposition by way of a locking device (as will be described in more detailbelow with reference to FIG. 10), which is arranged adjacent to thefirst pivot point 29 so as to prevent counterclockwise pivoting of thefirst arm parts 25.

The second arm parts 27, which are fixedly connected to the wing 23, canbe pivoted with respect to the first arm parts 25 about the second pivotpoint 31. This can occur between an inwardly pivoted position, in whichthe second arm parts 27 abut against and parallel to the first arm parts25 (see FIG. 1), and an outwardly pivoted position, in which the secondarm parts 27 make an angle α (see FIG. 5) to the first arm parts 25which preferably is smaller than 180°. Further pivoting of the secondarm parts 27 with respect to the first arm parts 25, when the second armparts are in the outwardly pivoted position, is prevented by a blockingelement 26 arranged at one end of the second arm parts 27. Consequently,the second arm parts 27, when in the completely outwardly pivotedposition, will be able to point obliquely downwards (see FIG. 5) whenthe first arm parts 25 are in the rear pivot position, and obliquelyupwards when the first arm parts 25 are in the front pivot position (seeFIG. 8).

When the second arm parts 27 are in the inwardly pivoted position, thatis abut against the first arm parts 25, they can be locked to preventpivoting with respect to the first arm parts 25. This occurs by way of alocking element, not shown, (for instance a cotter pin which extendsthrough both the first and the second arm part) arranged adjacent to thesecond pivot point 31. Correspondingly, the second arm parts 27 can alsobe locked against pivoting with respect to the first arm parts 25, whenthey are in the outwardly pivoted position, by way of a correspondinglocking element.

In FIGS. 2-3, the first arm parts 25 are in the rear pivot position andthe second arm parts 27 are in the outwardly pivoted position withrespect to the first arm parts 25 and thus form the rear loadingposition. In this loading position, a first side of the wing 23 (whichin FIG. 1 points upwards) forms a third load carrying surface 37. A loadcan in this position be carried on the first 15 and the third loadcarrying surface 37 where the first load carrying surface 15 consists ofthe previously mentioned bar 11. Since the bar 11 can be positioned inthe longitudinal direction L of the vehicle, the distance between thefirst 15 and the third load carrying surface 37 can also be adjusteddepending on the size of the load. Separate, substantially yoke-shapedfastening devices 39 can be made to straddle the wing 11 and be movedalong the same so as to form fastening points for the load along thethird load carrying surface 37.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate how a load in the form of a bicycle is arranged inthe rear loading position supported by the first 15 and the third loadcarrying surface 37. The front wheel of the bicycle has been removed andthe front fork of the bicycle is mounted in an appropriate fasteningdevice 41 at the first load carrying surface 15, while the rear wheel ofthe bicycle is fastened to the third load carrying surface 37 by way ofthe yoke-shaped fastening device 39. It is also evident from FIGS. 4 and6 that the mounting of the bicycle in the rear loading position causesthe major part of the roof 3 of the vehicle to remain unutilised, whichmeans that a separate roof rack and/or roof box can be mounted on theroof without having to compete with the load carrier 1 for space.

FIG. 7 shows how the lid 43 of the vehicle trunk can be opened even if aload in the form of a bicycle is arranged in the rear loading positionof the load carrier 1. To allow this, the entire load carrier 1 ispivoted counterclockwise (see FIG. 7) until it takes a position in whichthe lid of the trunk can be opened without colliding with the loadcarrier. To keep the load carrier in this position, the first arm parts25 of the load carrier can be locked with respect to the supportelements by the locking device (as will be described in more detailbelow with reference to FIG. 10) which is arranged adjacent to the firstpivot point 29. The second arm parts 27 have not changed position withrespect to the first arm parts 25 but remain locked in the outwardlypivoted position by way of the previously mentioned locking elements.

FIGS. 8-9 show the load carrier 1 in another active position to form afront loading position. In this loading position, the load carrier 1extends forwards over the roof 3 of the vehicle, while the first armparts 25 are in the front pivot position and the second arm parts 27 arein the outwardly pivoted, locked position with respect to the first armparts 25. The first arm parts 25 can be locked in this position by wayof the previously mentioned handles.

The wing 23 forms in this state a third load carrying surface 45 of theload carrier 1, and a load can be arranged on the same. In contrast tothe third load carrying surface 37, which consisted of the upper side ofthe wing 23, the third load carrying surface 45 consists of theunderside 47 of the wing. A load can now be placed on this third loadcarrying surface 45 and the previously mentioned first load carryingsurface 15, which just like before can be positioned in the longitudinaldirection of the vehicle depending on the size and nature of the loadthat is placed between the first 15 and the third load carrying surface45. The first and the third load carrying surface are also arrangedsubstantially in a common horizontal plane, thus making it possible toplace loads substantially horizontally on the first and the third loadcarrying surface. The third load carrying surface, that is the undersideof the wing, is just like the transverse bar (that is the first loadcarrying surface) provided with a longitudinal recess 49 having across-section substantially in the shape of an inverted T. Fasteningdevice 51 with the same shape as the recess 49 can be positioned alongthe same and locked thereto in the desired position, depending on theload that is to be placed between the first 15 and the third loadcarrying surface 45. The above-mentioned yoke-shaped fastening device 39is preferably also arranged in this recess 49, which is also indicatedby the dashed lines in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a close-up view of a locking device 53 arranged in the rearpart of the respective support elements 9, that is adjacent to the firstpivot point 29. As described above, the first arm part 25 is at one end55 pivotally connected to the support element 9. For this purpose theend 55 is provided with a pivot pin 57 which extends through the end 55perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the arm part 25. Thesupport element 9 is in turn provided with a first lug 59 and a secondlug 61, in which the projecting parts of the pivot pin 57 are arranged.This makes it possible to pivot the first arm part 25 between the frontand the rear pivot position.

The locking device 53 includes a movable bolt 63 arranged in one lug 59and a first recess 65 and a second recess 67 in the end 55 of the armpart. The bolt 63 has a shape which in terms of size is accommodated inthe respective recesses 65, 67. In the position taken by the first armpart 25 in FIG. 10, the bolt will be in an inactive position (insteadthe first arm part 25 is locked in this position by way of theabove-mentioned handle). However, if the first arm part 59 is pivotedfrom the shown position clockwise about 90° until it takes asubstantially upright position, it will be possible to insert the bolt63 into the first recess 65 and, thus, lock the first arm part 25against further pivoting. This position is described with reference toFIG. 7 and is advantageous if the lid of the vehicle trunk need beopened with a load placed on the load carrier 1. If instead the firstarm part 25 is pivoted approximately 180° so as to take a substantiallyhorizontal position, it will be possible to insert the bolt 63 into thesecond recess 67 and thus lock the first arm part 25 against furtherpivoting. This is the position described with reference to FIG. 3.

It is conceivable to arrange the locking device 53 either in bothsupport elements 9 (on each side of the roof of the vehicle) or in onesupport element only. It is also conceivable for the bolt 63 to bespring-loaded, thus allowing it to be automatically inserted into therespective recesses 65, 67 by spring action.

Although the invention is shown to be fixedly mounted in the body of thevehicle, it is also possible for the load carrier to be designed as aseparate accessory to be mounted in the longitudinal load bars of thevehicle or in a roof rack arranged on the vehicle, or using otherappropriate fastening device.

Further, elements and/or features of different example embodiments maybe combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within thescope of this disclosure and appended claims.

Example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that thesame may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regardedas a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, andall such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art areintended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

1. A load carrier to be mounted in the body of a motor vehicle,comprising: a first load carrier element to form a first load carryingsurface; a second load carrier element, pivotally arranged with respectto the first load carrier element, to form a second load carryingsurface, the second load carrying surface being located in front of thefirst load carrying surface, seen in the normal travelling direction ofthe motor vehicle, the second load carrier element further beingpivotally arranged with respect to the first load carrier element toform a third load carrying surface, the third load carrying surfacebeing located behind the first load carrying surface, seen in the normaltravelling direction of the motor vehicle.
 2. A load carrier as claimedin claim 1, wherein the load carrier is adapted to be mounted at therear edge of the roof of the body and the second load carrier element isadapted to be able to project from the rear edge of the roof to form thethird load carrying surface.
 3. A load carrier as claimed in claim 1,wherein the first and the second load carrying surface are substantiallyin the same horizontal plane.
 4. A load carrier as claimed in claim 1,wherein the third load carrying surface is located on a vertically lowerlevel than the first load carrying surface.
 5. A load carrier as claimedin claim 1, comprising a first and a second support element to bemounted on opposite sides of the roof of the body, seen in thetransverse direction of the motor vehicle, the first and second loadcarrier elements extending between and being connected to the first andsecond support elements.
 6. A load carrier as claimed in claim 5,wherein the first load carrier element includes a longitudinallyextending recess for connecting fastening elements adapted to be able tofasten a load to the first load carrying surface.
 7. A load carrier asclaimed in claim 5, wherein the first load carrier element is movablyarranged in the associated first and second support elements to positionthe first load carrying surface in the longitudinal direction of thevehicle.
 8. A load carrier as claimed in claim 5, wherein the secondload carrier element includes a longitudinally extending recess forconnecting fastening elements adapted to be able to fasten a load to atleast one of the second and third load carrying surfaces.
 9. A loadcarrier as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second load carrier elementcomprises a first and a second arm, pivotally connected to the first andsecond support elements, respectively, in a respective vertical plane,and a transverse element arranged between the first and the second armto form the second load carrying surface when the first and the secondarm are in a front pivot position with respect to the first load carrierelement, and to form the third load carrying surface when the first andthe second arm are in a rear pivot position with respect to the firstload carrier element.
 10. A load carrier as claimed in claim 9, whereinthe first and the second arm each comprise a first and a second armpart, the first arm parts being pivotally connected to the supportelements between the front and the rear pivot position, the second armparts being, at one end, pivotally connected to the first arm parts,between an inwardly pivoted position and an outwardly pivoted positionwith respect to the first arm parts, and at an opposite end fixedlyconnected to the transverse element.
 11. A load carrier as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the first arm parts, when in the front pivot position,are adapted to be arranged substantially parallel to the body roof, andthe second arm parts, when in the inwardly pivoted position, are adaptedto abut substantially against the first arm parts.
 12. A load carrier asclaimed in claim 10, comprising a locking device adapted to be able tolock the first arm parts in a pivot position, between the front and therear pivot position, in which pivot position a lid of the trunk of themotor vehicle is openable without colliding with the load carrier.
 13. Amotor vehicle, comprising a load carrier as claimed in claim
 1. 14. Aload carrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and the secondload carrying surface are substantially in the same horizontal plane.15. A load carrier as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first load carrierelement is movably arranged in the associated first and second supportelements to position the first load carrying surface in the longitudinaldirection of the vehicle.
 16. A load carrier as claimed in claim 11,comprising a locking device adapted to be able to lock the first armparts in a pivot position, between the front and the rear pivotposition, in which pivot position a lid of the trunk of the motorvehicle is openable without colliding with the load carrier.